Compare and Contrast Essay Outline

Writing a compare and contrast essay outline - involved and difficult

The most common outline for compare and contrast essay projects is known as the "point by point method." Here, the outline is split into three separate sections; the first is the introduction. This, of course, introduces the two subjects that are to be contrasted or compared. A statement is made which defines the purpose of the whole essay, and the main reasons for the comparison are then outlined point-by-point.

The second section of the outline is the body. This is where the supporting detail is noted, and again, this is done point by point. As an example let us compare cats with dogs. In the outline, subject A will be the dog, and subject B the cat. Let us suppose that we are comparing the ability to be left alone - we could say that a dog does not like being left alone, but with a cat this would be no problem. We would list this as point one.

We would then give supporting detail - in this case; cats are happy to be left alone, as they tend to be solitary animals, whereas dogs are pack animals, and hate to be left alone.

Provide an Example and Support

The last part of each point is to provide an example of these supporting details. Here we could describe details of cats happily sleeping on beds or in baskets with their owners at work, whilst dogs can be shown ripping up the house, and destroying furniture in their frustration at being left.

The third and final section of the point by point method is the conclusion. This is the grand finale of your outline for compare and contrast essay and consists of a summary of the main points of your paper, followed by a restatement of the thesis statement.

The second type of outline is known as the block type. Here there is a similar introduction, which presents the two subjects that are being contrasted and compared, and again, includes an overview of the project and its purpose. This is followed by the thesis statement, and again, the main reasons for the comparison are then outlined in points.

In contrast to the point by point method, the block type method lists the points, supporting detail, and examples, one after the other, for each of the categories.

To go back to the dog and cat comparison - rather than list, point by point, the supporting detail, all of the attributes that you want to contrast and compare are presented as a block. For example, if I were wanting to make the case for dogs I would list, one after the other, all of my supporting detail and examples; dogs are happy to go for walks, dogs fetch sticks, dogs will keep intruders away, and so on.

When I had finished this list I would then go on to cats, and using the same method; I would make the case for cats. Again, for example, cats do not annoy the neighbors by barking, cats do not need to be taken for walks, cats do not fetch sticks, and so on.

Again, the third and final section of the block method is the conclusion. This is the grand finale of your outline compare and contrast essay and consists of a summary of the main points of your paper, followed by a restatement of the thesis statement.

Know The Difference

To illustrate the difference between the outlines but there are two templates which will show, in greater detail, the contrast between the two methods.

So, by way of a summary, and to put some context into the compare and contrast essay outline template above; the three things which you need to make sure are present in your contrast and comparison paper are, the supporting details and the purpose of your essay, the structure and organization of it, and the coherence and transitions of the points you are making by using the examples provided above.

We will leave you with a fabulous Resource that we found this list of some compare and contrast essay outline example pieces which back up what we have said here and we hope that you will find this useful in your studies.

Finally, as you will have gathered, the key to these types of essays is the planning and research of them. Allow yourself plenty of time and think through how you are going to prove your examples. Try to think outside the box and approach your subjects in a way that your tutor may not have seen before.

If the subject is unusual or particularly complicated or contentious, make sure that you can back up and give examples for, any of the points that you make.

Good luck with it - whether you use point-to-point or block - go compare.